The Coalition of Domestic Elections Observers (CODEO) has asked all the agents of the political parties to respect the electoral laws governing the conduct of this year’s elections.
CODEO also reminded and urged all Ghanaians to uphold the democratic principles of peacefully selecting our leaders into government.
In a statement ahead of the polls on Monday December 7, the organisation said “CODEO is encouraged of the few recorded violent incidents during the campaign period, and hope that the stakeholders take into the voting process attitude of non-confrontation and resort to the rules of the electoral process to resolve any differences or dispute.
“CODEO further applauds the commitment of the presidential candidates of the NPP, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and of the NDC, John Dramani Mahama, to promote peace during and after the elections as demonstrated by the peace pact ceremony that took place on Friday, December 4, 2020. CODEO, for its part, assures Ghanaians that it will play its role as independent, impartial and objective observers during the process. It is our firm belief that CODEO’s presence at polling stations will contribute to having a moderating influence on key actors and help ensure electoral integrity. CODEO will continue to collaborate and cooperate with the EC, political parties, likeminded civil society organizations platforms, international observers, the media and other stakeholders with similar goals in order for Ghana to achieve, once again, a peaceful, credible and successful 2020 elections.
“CODEO makes the following appeals: To all contesting political leaders and their supporters to do all in their power to help maintain the peace in our country. To the EC, its temporary polling officials, returning and presiding officers to be firm and apply the electoral rules in an impartial and objective manner. To agents of political parties to respect the electoral laws and behave responsibly on polling day by assisting the EC officials to execute their duties effectively and efficiently. To the Election Security Task Force to approach their duties on polling day with maximum professionalism, fairness and utmost respect for the Constitution of Ghana.
“To the media to be professional and circumspect in its coverage and reportage of the elections. To all other domestic observers as well as international observers to support the polling exercise in an impartial and objective manner so as to ensure peaceful and election integrity. To voters to dutifully abide by the COVID-19 health safety protocols as announced by the EC. It is critical for us to remind ourselves of the risks posed by the COVID-19 and to ensure adherence to all relevant health and safety protocols to prevent the spread of the virus as we go out there to vote.
CODEO urges all registered voters to actively participate in the elections by going out to vote. CODEO urges voters to comport themselves during the polling process by following the laid down rules and procedures, including social distancing and other COVID-19 safety protocols. We further require all Ghanaians not to allow themselves to be used for any violent acts during this period and beyond. CODEO implores the security forces deployed for election duties to keep to their professionalism by focusing on the security of the ballot process, voters, independent observers, and indeed all Ghanaians, and to undertake these crucial duties in a lawful and non-partisan manner.
“To the media, it is important to note that your platforms, particularly the radio, and social media, are not used to create violence on Election Day and beyond. Finally, we must, as Ghanaians, use this occasion to demonstrate to the entire world of our determination to stay on this path of democratic and accountable governance by electing our leaders and representatives in a participatory manner and peacefully.”
By Laud Nartey|3news.com|Ghana
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